Between the light cloud vapour tails traversed the sky. Despite this a later silent jumbo jet made no visible mark. I would hear the calls of what was to be an elusive Green Woodpecker throughout the morning. An Ash sapling had taken root beside a car park kerb. A mature Ash held last years dry masts as well as fresh ones. A Field Maple had dropped many of its mast onto tarmac.
Enchanters Nightshade still showed flowers in the woodlands dappled shade. Overhead a Squirrel sent light debris down onto me below. Beside the diagonal path they were plenty of Whitethroats but more surprisingly there were up to five Robins in proximity. Both Bittersweet and Honeysuckle showed flowers and fruits. A male stonechat perch on the “Ryall” seat.
Out to sea, where they were many small white wavelets, at least two Gannet circled off Anvil Point. Closer inspection revealed two adults and a juvenile. I was fortunate to witness one Gannet plunging into the sea. A gent advised me of a Peregrine having flown past. The sea cliffs were quite other than Herring Gulls perched in places. Golden and Rock Samphire still flower below on the wave cut platform. Meanwhile, it was Sea Aster full of colour beside the cave steps. Occasional Swallows flew by.
I thought it odd the Kestrel might have perched upon on of the “ladder pegs” on the side of a telegraph pole in the gully. Further investigation found this to be an on Kestrel. Indeed, was the Peregrine Falcon of the gent’s report. It performed two direct flights to the ground, however, no prey returned in its yellow talons. I thought it brave of the Wood Pigeon that chose the share the overhead wire as a perch with the predator only forty metres away. There was an altercation between the pair, although it seemed that the Peregrine simply wanted the other out of its way. Ultimately, the predator headed east last being seen between the measured mile markers. Near the demonstration quarr a Teasel flower had attracted a Bumble Bee. Adjacent “lemon & custard” Common Toadflax flowers persisted.
On three occasions I spied a Dragonfly hawking over the downland. Whilst Gatekeepers and Meadow Browns were the dominant butterflies with the gully Large Whites put in appearances. It was not until I reached the sunny side of the Small Copse that Speckled Woods and Wall Browns were seen. Small tight acorns we upon the branch tips of some of the evergreen Holm Oak of the Copse. On returning to the centre both Red Admirals and Painted Ladies sought nectar from the Buddleia flowers.